Jack Russell - dogged resistance at Durham Photo CricInfo

Nottinghamshire were the day's only winners in the Frizzell County Championship, as the other games ending today were all drawn. A timely declaration, followed by an unbeaten century, from Jason Gallian set up Notts' win over Northants, and Jack Russell was Gloucestershire's hero as they managed to stave off a big defeat at Durham.

Surrey and Somerset drew their Division One match at The Oval, after the hosts batted beyond tea on the final day before being bowled out for 332. Although Keith Dutch gave Somerset brief hope by dismissing Ian Ward (67) and Ally Brown (48) before lunch, a half century from Alec Stewart effectively ended the visitors' victory hopes. Left needing 300 to win in what was left of the final session, Somerset had reached 45 for one when the game was called off.

At Headingley, a match that looked draw-bound this morning duly ended that way, after an innings of 83 from Richard Blakey took Yorkshire past Hampshire's first innings total. Yorkshire were eventually dismissed for 423, with Steve Kirby making 57. The game ended with Hampshire on 62 for one in their second innings.

The match at Horsham between Sussex and Leicestershire was abandoned as a draw after rain prevented any play either yesterday or today.

In Division Two, Jack Russell fought heroically to rescue Gloucestershire from the jaws of a big defeat at Chester-le-Street. After following on 338 runs behind yesterday, Gloucestershire were looking down the barrel at 177 for seven after Matt Windows was run out for 73. But Russell, with help first from James Averis and then from Jon Lewis, compiled an unbeaten 78 to get Gloucestershire out of jail. Graeme Bridge took four for 50 and Ian Hunter three for 68 for the hosts.

At Trent Bridge, Notts skipper Jason Gallian was the toast of his team, first for an overnight declaration that brought an apparently moribund game back to life, and then for making an unbeaten century to secure a remarkable win. After conceding a 70-run first innings lead to Northants, Notts bowled the visitors out for 153, with Andrew Harris taking seven for 54. Left needing 230 for victory, Notts lost just three wickets in reaching the target, with Usman Afzaal making 88 and Gallian finishing on 111 not out.

Meanwhile Essex have been making up for lost time at Chelmsford, where play got under way a day late. Despite a further interruption this morning, they bowled Derbyshire out for just 158. There were three wickets for Ashley Cowan and two each for Ronnie Irani, John Stephenson and Jon Dakin. Essex closed on 93 for three in reply.

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